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tv   Today  NBC  February 6, 2013 7:00am-9:00am EST

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breaking news. a powerful earthquake triggers a deadly tsunami in the south pacific overnight. at least five people killed, dozens of homes destroyed. the bunker, the first image s this morning of the site where an alabama boy was held underground for nearly a week as investigators reveal a dangerous discovery, homemade bombs found at the scene. countdown to so muchi. winter games exactly one year away. we're having an olympic-sized celebration right here on rockefeller plaza "today," wednesday, february 6th, 2013.
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>> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. good morning. welcome to "today" on a wednesday morning. i'm matt lauer. >> i'm savannah guthrie. details still coming in at this hour about that paragraowerful i in the south pacific. it sounds like it could have been even worse. >> two waves, each about five-feet high hit the west side of the solomon islands overnight, following an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. we'll have the latest in a report straight ahead. closer to home, are we back to the brink in washington? are those dramatic spending cuts that both sides say they fear closer to going into effect? we'll have the latest. a frightening scene the a school in modesto, california, it was all a mock drill. but was it just a little too
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realistic? we'll be talking about that as well. >> if you couldn't tell from the music at the top, a lot of attention on so muchchisochi, rs morning. the winter olympic games kick off in a mere 365 days. >> to mark the occasion here at home we built a ski slope on the plaza, mt. rockefeller, we like to call it. and we've got a big morning planned outside. >> a lot of people are wondering if lindsey vonn will be ready for sochi. on tuesday she had a very bad crash at the world ski championships. she may need surgery to repair torn ligaments in her right knee. what she is saying this morning about her chances for a full recovery by the time the games begin. >> apparently she will be flying back to colorado to have that surgery in the coming days. breaking news this morning, that deadly tsunami triggered by a strong earthquake in the south pacific. al roker is upstairs with the latest. al, good morning. >> solomon islands, really the epicenter of this, just off the solomon islands at 8.0 magnitude
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earthquake, triggering two tsunami waves, estimated between three to five feet. of course, as you get that lifting of the earth's plates underneath the water, all that will basically trigger that activity and the wave. and that wave can be moving at 75 to 100 miles per hour, stretching out. we have reports of at least five people killed in at least two communities of the solomon islands, five confirmed deaths. water, electricity completely wiped out. one town of venga, of about 750 people, homes were shifted by the surge of water. two towns completely wiped out. so, we will continue to track this story. the other story we are looking at, the potential for a massive storm in the northeast this weekend. snowstorm. we've got a developing clipper over the plains, wet weather down in the gulf. these two systems will phase together or merge. the american model brings it right along shore and then up and along the coast by friday
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night on into saturday. and that brings snowfall amount s of about anywhere from a foot, up to two feet up in new england. the lighter snow down around the new york area. however, the european model forms this storm closer to shore and moves it more slowly with stronger winds and a lot more moisture. you can see those bands around the low pressure, those are the wind winds, strongest winds. look at the snowfall we're looking out of this from friday to saturday, extreme snowfall amounts, one to two feet, new york just to the north up into boston, more than two feet to the north and west of boston, all the way up into portland, maine. it is still a changeable situation. we have to wait for the systems to form. we have the potential of a blockbuster storm coming this weekend. savannah? >> we'll check back with you in a moment, al. the alabama boy held captive nearly a week in an underground bunker is celebrating his 6th birthday today as new details emerge about the daring raid
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that freed him. gabe gutierrez has been following this story from midland, alabama. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, savannah. a heavy police presence, still two days after the standoff ended. released by the fiche, these are the first images we've seen inside the rural property in alabama where a 5-year-old boy named ethan, seen here in earlier photos, spent six days in captivity. from the outside it looks like a simple mound of dirt. underground, police say they found two explosives. the source describes them as crude pipe bombs. one in the bunker and the other in the pipe that police used to communicate with jimmy lee dykes, who demanded two children on a school bus before killing the driver, charles poland. he wanted attention, even asking
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police negotiators for a tv reporter to interview him. by monday, when they saw dykes hold i holding a gun, using a secret camera they somehow had managed to sneak inside, they were ready. they swooped in, throwing a stun grenade down the bunker's hatch. the police source says dykes fired his gun once. the team returned fire, killing dykes and freeing ethan. ethan's mother said i woke up for the first time in almost a week to a beautiful sight, my sweet boy. i can't describe how incredible it is to hold him again. and today he celebrates his 6th birthday. >> he captured the hearts of all of us and we instantly fell in love with a little boy that we didn't even know his last name. >> reporter: initially planned as a prayer vigil, it turned into a celebration. >> oh, honey, we're celebrating
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everywhere. >> reporter: ethan is already out of the hospital. >> i talked to somebody who got to spend two hours with him today, and they said that ethan is having the time of his life. he's eating ice cream and jell-o and just having the best time. >> reporter: on dline fund has been set up to send ethan to disney world. so far it's raised about $6,000. savannah? >> gabe gutierrez, thank you very much. now here's matt. the white house taking heat for a document that outlines the use of drones to kill suspected terrorists, including americans. nbc's white house correspondent, peter alexander has the latest on this. good morning, peter. >> reporter: hi, matt. good morning to you. the white house is expected to face new scrutiny over its drone strike policy that's responsible for taking out more than 400 terrorist targets in pakistan and yemen alone. but what if that target is an american citizen? this morning, new questions over
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whether the obama administration is overstepping its bounds. they're among the most controversial and secretive weapons in the war on terror, unmanned drones, used to strike alcoh al qaeda targets worldwide. under fire after nbc news obtained a memo that includes deadly strikes against u.s. citizens that are operational leaders of al qaeda are a lawful act of national self defense. among those targeted, an war al alawki, killed in yemen in 2011. >> it is a chilling dumt document. it sets out the government's intentions to kill american citizens. >> reporter: demanding more transparency about the strikes and is expected to target john
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brennan during his cia confirmation hearings, beginning tomorrow. president obama on tuesday urged congress to act. >> they should at least pass a smaller package of spending cuts and tax reforms that would delay economically damaging effect of the sequester for a few more months. >> reporter: if you think of it as a t-bone stake, the sequester is like a butcher's knife, lobbing off a big piece. republicans want to avoid the cuts but dismissed the president's proposed solution outright. the white house has made other news this week, saying the president will head to israel for the first time for the first time since taking office this spring, savannah. he is scheduled to arrive there, but the white house won't confirm the exact date.
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chuck todd joins us now. good morning to you. >> good morning, savannah. >> we have known for a while the u.s. government has authorized strikes against american citizens believed to be al qaeda leaders. what we learn in this memo is the legal justification for that. some are concerned about how expansive the power is that the administration gives to itself. how much of a political problem is this for the president? >> you put these potential political problems in two buckets. there's public opinion and there's a problem he's going to have with congress. on the publiopinion front, we saw this during the bush administration, when there was a lot of angst in congress about the detainee and torture policy. the public didn't seem to look the other way. they didn't see it as a political problem. the public simply wants to see the bad guys gotten. and there's probably the same political reaction when it comes publicly to the president. but he will, i think, have a problem in congress, especially democrats. democratic senator ron widen, on the senate intelligence
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committee. savannah, it is all about congress wanting to know why isn't it more in the loop? they have this expansive authority of executive power. if you think about it in the old days of learning how government works, there's three branches of government. in this case, just one branch of government as oversight over this policy. congress would like to have more oversight and the ability to know exactly the justification, when and how the president makes these decisions. >> let's talk domestic politics, the sequester, automatic spending cuts set to go in effect in a few weeks. for a while both sides seemed to fear them equally, that was supposed to push them to the bargaining table. now you hear republicans say maybe these defense cuts, we can live with. is that a tactic or will that possibly happen when it goes into effect? >> the republicans are kind of divide. old guard republicans have been around washington for a while, they do not want to see these cuts go through at all. think of the divide as the senate republicans versus the house republicans. you have a lot of newer members,
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tea party conservatives, those folks who have come to washington the last four years who simply say, hey, if this is the only way president obama is going to cut spend iing, then w not? maybe we're not happy it's on the defense. why not? so if republicans go in that direction, i don't see how it is stopped. i don't see how house republicans decide to let them go. not sure where the president has leverage here. but we'll see, as march 1st comes. they may be more motivated to do something. >> before i let you go, i have to ask you about hillary clinton's new website, her campaign website now links to a new page. is this potentially a sign of 2016 ambitions, or is sometimes a website is just a website, chuck? >> i want to say a website is just a website. if you click on the contact button, look at all the information they want from you, e-mail, way to get back to you. contact information. something tells me that data is not just going to go away and they're going to throw it out. you could look at it as it's the
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very beginnings of how the structure would be put in place, should she decide to do it. >> keeping her options open for sure. chuck todd, thanks so much. appreciate it. let us get another check of the news making headlines this morning. natalie morales is over at the news desk with that. charged in the murder of former navy s.e.a.l. sniper and his friend. eddie ray routh has refused to -- >> my brother just came here and he told me he's committed a murder. i'm terrified for my life. because i don't know if he's going to come back here. >> routh is being held on $3 million bond and is on suicide watch. a dramatic accident on a south florida highway overpass this morning. a box truck crashed and ended up halfway off the ramp, its front end held in place by a concrete pillar.
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two people were inside when it crashed. some 16 months after don't ask, don't tell was repealed, the military is asked to extend benefits to same-sex members. the 1996 defensive marriage act complicates the issue. formal announcement is expected within the next several days. a very close encounter with an asteroid is coming next week. the space object is going to come closer than any other ever observed on february 15th. it's 148 feet in diameter with a mass of a cruise ship. that is enough to level a city, but nasa says they know exactly where it's heading and it is not going to hit the u.s. i'm sure will smith is on stand by just in case. and showing respect for the court, 18-year-old pen elpy soto was arrested for drug possession. after trading snotty barbs with
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the judge, she got fined. but it wasn't enough. >> >>bye-bye. >> adios. >> come back, ma'am. come back. give me her paper again. count one will be $10,000. >> are you serious? >> i am serious. adio adios. >> all right hit with that $10,000 fine, you would think that she -- the judge would then get ticked off when he then got flipped off. so he taught her yet another lesson. take a listen. >> bring her back again. >> i believe i hear you saying -- >> i did. >> did you say [ muted ] did you say that?
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>> yes. >> i find you in contempt. 30 days in the county jail. >> if you're wondering, yes, he is serious. taught her a very serious lesson. it is now 7:16. you're up-to-date. let's turn it back to savannah, matt and al. >> she should be so proud of herself, the way she behaved. >> on video, too. >> i know. >> the hair twirling, the adios and the culmination of it all. >> the gesture. exactly. >> anyway, mr. roker is back with more on the weather. where are you? >> we're at the base of mt. today as we get ready for winter wonderland here and all sorts of winter weather sports. exciting. skiing. natalie is here. she brought her own skis in. that's how serious she is. let's see what we've got for you for today. this is the moisture that's going to be coming out of the gulf that's going to provide the moisture for our snowstorm. before it gets here, it's going to dump a ton of rain from texas
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on into louisiana, upwards of three to five inches of rain. the rest of the country. there's the other clipper back over the plains, making its way across the country. the two will come together off the coast, cause big problems. windy and wet in the pacific northwest today. sunny and seasonal into southern and central california. that's what's going on around the country. but first here's what's going on with your local message. to roll over my old 401(k) into a fidelity ira. man: okay, no problem. it's easy to get started; i can help you with the paperwork. um...this green line just appeared on my floor. yeah, that's fidelity helping you reach your financial goals. could you hold on a second? it's your money. roll over your old 401(k) into a fidelity ira and take control of your personal economy. this is going to be helpful. call or come in today. fidelity investments. turn here. >> good morning. it should be a quiet day weather-wise.
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there is a slight chance for some sprinkles or flurries. >> all right. back to you. >> okay, al. we'll find out what happened later. thank you. olympic gold medal winning skier lindsey vonn says she's determined to return for next year's olympic games in sochi, russia. in austria where vonn had to be air lifted to a hospital, keir, good morning to you. >> reporter: matt, thank you. lindsey vonn laid on the course. you can see the course snaking through the trees.
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her doctor has spoken to her and he says she is so determined that she's already talking about how she'll recover. >> lindsey vonn, trying to find the perfect grip. >> reporter: halfway down, making a jump and turning. then a horrific crash, tumbling out of control and harrowing cries. her emotion reveals how her right leg sprained, knee twisted, ligaments torn and a bone fractured. her sister's reaction said it all, fellow competitor looking shocked. vonn was air lifted out and taken to a local hospital. vonn is the most successful american skier in history. won the bronze in vancouver, four-time world champion. so fearless, she has been injured in every championship event, olympics and world championship since 2007. a win or nothing competitor, as she told matt in 2010.
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>> i've never had so many crashes and so many injuries in one season. it was so brutal. i kept fighting through it. >> reporter: her personal life is a battle, too. a divorce. and she suffers from depression. but while she will not compete again this year and now on the sidelines, with sochi just one year away, her determination is legendary. >> if anyone can come back from this in time for the olympics, it's lindsey vonn. >> reporter: her competitive spirit landing her out of this competition. down, but not for too long says team coach, chip white. >> it was a very, very aggressive crash. the injury, though, outcome -- it's not an injury that's unusual in ski racing. she was back in the hotel a couple of hours after the accident. she was in good spirits, starting to plot out her rehab and next steps. i'm confident we will see lindsey vonn in sochi next year. >> reporter: she will need surgery. that's likely to be carried out in the u.s. experts say it can take six
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months to recover. you know, matt, when lindsey vonn wants something, you better watch out. good news from here today, a win for the u.s., ted liggety. >> that is good news. we receive a statement from lindsey vonn through her spokesperson. first off, i want to thank you for the amazing medical staff that cared for me. i plan on returning to vail as soon as i can to have the necessary surgeries. i'm also grateful to my fans for the outpouring of support, which has really helped me stay positive. i can assure you i will work as hard as humanly possible to be ready to represent my country next year in sochi. we just want to wish her the very best on a very speedy recovery. >> she'll get back. no question. >> amazing competitor. i'm rooting for her. coming up, very realistic mock shooting meant to help communities prepare for school and workplace shootings. some say these simulations may go too far. the arkansas couple who hit the lottery in a big way, twice
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in the same weekend. but first this is "today" on nbc.
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coming up, we'll reveal. celebrating sochi on the plaza after your local news. waye all the congestion relief i need to sleep. [ female announcer ] adding breathe right nasal strips can make all the difference. it instantly relieves nasal congestion symptoms caused by cold and flu. [ man ] and because it's drug free, it's safe to use with any medicine to relieve my nighttime stuffy nose. so i can breathe better and sleep better. [ female announcer ] go to breatheright.com for special offers. this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans, that's what may help lower your cholesterol and -- well that's easy [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup.
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with just a few ingredients. ♪ kellogg's raisin bran, corn flakes and rice krispies. simple wholesome goodness. start simple. start right. >> this is wbal-tv 11 news in baltimore. >> good morning. i am stan stovall. baltimore city police are investigating a deadly triple stabbing that happened just blocks from the super bowl parade. it broke out at the intersection of fayette and howard streets. one man was stabbed to death and two others were seriously injured. police are not sure if the
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victims or suspect in the incident attended the parade. here is sarah caldwell and traffic pulse 11. >> brand new accident on the inner loop was signed prior to reisterstown road. it is causing some delays in the area. speed on average of 45 mi. per hour from 795 to the owings mills area. timonium road, on the west side outer loop delays are in place, 20 minutes to get you through that stretch. further south in howard county, waterloo and snowden river parkway, accident showing up. 95 is intermittently and white marsh to tapping the brakes for the south in the area of the beltway. that is the very latest on traffic pulse 11. >> we have a little cloud cover to start the day but we don't expect this edition that is going to slow down the morning commute. 31 in westminster. 29 in parkton. we had another one of those
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clippers storms go through last night. detail end of the energy could produce a sprinkle or snow flurry but as we go through the afternoon, more sunshine. high temperatures will climb into the low 40's this afternoon. another dry day tomorrow, but things get bumpy into the weekend. we will see a mixture of freezing rain and sleet early in the morning on friday and could change into snow friday night and early saturday morning. we will wind up with dry weather on sunday and maybe a
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we're back now on this wednesday morning, february 6, 2013. it is 2:30 in the afternoon in sochi, russia, when one year from today teams will begin competing in the olympic winter games. check out our plaza. we have marked this occasion by turning it into a ski resort this morning, complete with mt. rockefeller. we've got team u.s.a. hopefuls, new events to talk about. we'll have a grudge match out there on the slope among us anchors. may the best win. >> it's cold here at mt. rockefeller this morning as it
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is in sochi, russia. >> which i'm happy about, they have temperate climate there. imagine winning the lottery not once but twice in the same weekend. we'll talk to an arkansas couple who did that and walked away with more than a million dollars. that would explain the smiles on their face. >> right. and then monopoly fans, you have spoken. which classic token is going to be replaced and what will be the newest game piece? we'll reveal the answer exclusively this morning. don't forget, savannah and i are headed to chicago for this week's friday field trip. we asked you to tweet us why you love the windy city. we have already received a bunch of beautiful photos. keep them coming in. and use the #todayinchicago. we'll begin this half hour in modesto, california, where a dramatic mock school shooting was just held to prepare authorities for a real-life emergency.
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miguel almaguer has details on this story. miguel, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, savannah. the training exercise was funded by the office of education a year ago. after the school shooting in newtown, it was redesigned, a high-intensity drill for what some call our new reality. the mock massacre simulates what so many now fear. two gunmen open fire on students, going through a crowded campus, taking lives. this school shooting, just a drill. but the drama so intense, even scaring the 20 teenage actors. >> i felt really terrified. i have never felt that scared. >> it was way too real. i didn't know that was how it was going to be. >> reporter: the training video includes students covered in blood-red paint, the injured crying for help and children as young as 12 locked inside barricaded classrooms. but is it too much?
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>> we need to actually know how our guys here, and women at the sheriff's office are going to respond to an actual emergency. the best way to do that is through a live simulated training, making it as real as we can. >> set to be distributed next year, the training video could make its way to police, teachers and school administrators across california. >> duck and cover. >> back in the 1950s, students learned to duck and cover. since the 1999 columbine mask kerr, there have been 15 school shootings. experts say we live in a time of mass shooting. >> this is the new reality. what we're dealing with is a phenomena we've never confronted before, random shootings, spree shootings, the most innocence of our society being slaughtered. >> we have an active shooter. stand by for further information. >> schools aren't the only ones preparing for the worst. department of homeland security has posted its own video online called active shooter scenario,
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tips for the public on how to survive a workplace shooting. >> if there's an accessible escape route, attempt to evacuate. >> reporter: new training tools for an era that was once thought the unthinkable. >> reporter: it isn't easy to watch but police say it certainly will be an effective tool. we're told by law enforcement they certainly will learn from it by those instructors who do see it. >> miguel almaguer, modesto, california. thank you. let's go outside. we'll get a check of the weather from al. >> announcer: "today's" weather is brought to you by kay jewelers. every kiss begins with kay. >> we've got all our fans with sochi signs ready to go. lenny's even ready with the "today" gloves. very nice. let's check it out for you, what we've got today. pleasant spring temperatures, up
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to 67 in atlanta today with the cold air banked in over the plains and great lakes. that will bring in cold air. add that moisture from the gulf, that means a big snowstorm. how much remains to be seen. lot of heavy rain through the texas gulf into louisiana. snow showers around the northern plains and the western great lakes. that's what's going on >> good morning. we're starting out with some cloud cover. the clouds should break up this afternoon. for our "today" winter games, the coveted gold, bronze
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and silver medals. which team will take them? we'll have to wait and see. matt? >> all right, al. thank you very much. one of the lasting images of the presidential campaign. clint eastwood talking to a chair at the republican national convention. so, whatever became of the prop that had the nation talking? nbc's luke russert has the answer. luke, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, matt. it was clint eastwood's prop, portraying president obama as a shadow leader that became the takeaway from the republican convention. so the question has to be asked, whatever happened to that empty chair? >> what do you want me to tell romney? i can't tell him to do that. he can't do that to himself. >> reporter: a remarkable moment in american political history. witnessed by millions in prime time that went viral and spawned countless parodies. >> you shut up. >> what was it like working with eastwood? what was he like? >> reporter: all centered around
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not a person but a chair, which even had its own twitter handle. so where is that chair now? just down the street from the capital but not at the smithsonian. six months after its unscripted debut at the republican convention, the famed eastwood chair was shipped in a crate and found an unlikely home, the office of the chairman of the republican national committee. >> all i know is that about two minutes into clint eastwood's speech, when i realized that he was talking to the chair and the teleprompters were off, i told my wife and a couple folks that were around me, let's get that chair. >> reporter: it's a peculiar place for a chair that many pundits. >> being odd is charitable. >> reporter: a humorous reminder of what can resonate with the public and social media culture that has taken over politics, something he feels republicans need to embrace. >> we need to accept where our culture is at and be part of it.
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t and still espouse the good principles of our party. >> reporter: do you think it was a mistake? >> somewhere in the middle. all in all i would have scripted it myself, but it may just be my nature to be a little more careful. >> reporter: the chairman says it's the most popular item in his office. everyone wants to take a picture with this here chair. you interview presidents, celebrities, athletes. if you want the exclusive, let me know. >> now that you've been sitting in it, the value of that chair just sky rocketed. >> reporter: going on ebay. >> luke, thank you very much. >> reporter: take care. we'll reveal the new monopoly token and the classic piece that is going away. first these messages. can find on a map. but the ones you can find in your heart. because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still. it dances with the daring and rewards the courageous with ideas.
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i've done 25,000 tax returns. you might say i've had some experience. i will back you up. bring it on. back at 7:42. this morning we have a rare look inside what may be the most controversial church. andrea canning has a story about a girl that grew up in the church before escaping. >> into the midwestern church known for its hatred of jews and gays and its infamous protest of military funerals. they say following god's will. for 25 years, she says, her every move was scrutinized by the tight-run church by her
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family until one thing changed everything. it's the church best known for its perceived hatred with hurtful protests at events many consider to be sacred. >> they think they're the only ones that are going to go to heaven and if you don't go to that church you're going to go hell. >> reporter: libby feltz alvarez was born into the church. her grandfather founded the church that some believe is more cult than congregation. do you think you were brainwashed, looking back? >> i think i was almost brainwashed into thinking i wasn't brainwashed. >> reporter: the members say they are true believers in god, but their messages target gays and jews, even children. the church posted this tweet last year. westboro will picket sandy hook elementary school to sing praise to god for the glory of his work in executing his judgment. from the time she turned 8, alvarez would protest funerals around the country. in 2011, the u.s. supreme court
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ruled the protests are protected by the constitution. why protest military funerals? >> they think that they're fighting for a nation. >> reporter: at what point did you finally start to think, this is wrong, what i believe in, what i've been doing? >> i had a friend, her husband was in the military and he died. and we picketed his funeral. i wasn't there, but my family was there. and i didn't think that it was right. there was a point where we start praying for people to die. and i didn't actually do that, but i was around when they did it. >> reporter: four years ago, she said she packed up her life and quickly left, while her parents were at a protest. >> i was terrified. i was never going to see my family again. >> reporter: that must have been the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. how did you break the news to your parents and the church? >> i didn't. >> reporter: have they tried to reach out to you in any way?
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>> my aunt e-mailed me and said nobody wants to talk to me anymore. >> reporter: alvarez still has regrets for hurting people, but is embracing her new life with open arms. >> i've done so many things that i couldn't do. i've traveled to different countries. i got married. >> reporter: you got your first haircut ever? >> i got my ears pierced. i didn't think i would ever do that. >> reporter: do you hope that other family members have the courage to leave? what would you say to them? >> i would tell them that i love them and that people aren't evil like we were taught. even though i'm crying right now, life isn't full of sadness, sorrow, disease and heartache like they told us. you can lead a happy and good life. >> reporter: a life that she says for the first time has brought her peace and independence. libby lives just 35 miles from the church but says she still hasn't spoken to her parents for all these years. she's now sampling different
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churches in her new world but hasn't settled on one yet. we reached out to westboro baptist and they haven't responded to our requests. this church says they believe they're saving people with their views. >> it's a perfect spespective w often get to here. andrea, thank you. we appreciate it. we are live in soeshi, russia, where the one-year countdown is under way this morning. and we are live with our own ski slope, mt. rockefeller. while managing their schedule with my producing partner. i set up kid's corner so they can learn and play games without deleting my stuff. "working mom" is sometimes a tough role to play, but it's definitely the one i was born for. [ clattering, children laughing ] and...action. that's me. and this is my windows phone. [ male announcer ] now buy one nokia lumia 920 for just $99.99 and get a second one fr at at&t.
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♪ ♪ "love" a collection by prabal gurung, exclusively at target. for a limited time. back now at 7:49 with our countdown to "today" in sochi. one year from now the best athletes in the world will start competing in the 2014 winter olympic games. >> it is closer to istanbul than the russia capital of moscow.
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ben fogle is there. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. behind me is the stadium that will host the opening and closing ceremonies. as you can see, it's all hands on deck as they work round the clock to get things done on time. i've spent the last few days finding out how russia plans to welcome the world next winter. it's 68 degrees. it's sunny and there's palm trees. at first glance, sochi, situated on the shores of the black sea, doesn't look like a place for the winter olympics. it's actually a summer seaside resort. but there's a saying in sochi, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute. this is the same time of year that winter olympics are going to happen and it's pouring with rain. let's hope it turns to snow. the winter park will be the most compact winter games park ever. the jewel in the crown will be the ice palace, home to russia's
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national sport, ice hockey. i got to try out the ice with one of russia's olympic skating legends. you make it look very effortless. back outside, if you look up from town, the snow is there. here, athletes, including from team u.s.a., have had a chance to test the terrain. >> skiers are like a fine wine. we keep getting better with age. now that i'm hitting 30, i think i've just hit my vintage years. >> reporter: brothers battle it out while billy demon was learning the land. >> next year to be a blowout year for the united states in the olympic games. >> reporter: here to try the new track, the men hoping to defend their bobsled gold four years ago. while the women's team have a new recruit from the southern track, lolo jones. >> you can quit or work harder
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and pursue it and go after it even more. sometimes what you need is motivation. >> reporter: 25,000 of them already excited for next year's games. time to test the snow myself. back down below, work continues. this is the first olympic park built from scratch. many of the stadiums have been comple completed, there's still a lot of unfinished business. >> the biggest construction site in the world with more than 70,000 workers working 24/7. >> reporter: will it be ready on time? he says yes. sochi really is a tale of two climates and construction sites for now. but in the mountains, president putin has promised snow. if it's like this, 12 months from now, that promise will come true. it should be pointed out that there were some worries about trial events last week due to a
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lack of snow. but up in the mountains behind me, fortunately, that's all changed. president putin has promised there will be snow. i've been reassured by the presidents of sochi 2014 that they're stockpiling just in case. talking of stockpiling, i've been doing a little myself, guys, with some sochi merchandise. >> whoa! >> wow! >> very happy vest. >> do they make that for men also, ben? >> ooh. >> nice. >> reporter: they're selling out fast. i'll keep one aside. >> all right. ben fogle in sochi this morning. thanks very much. now to some big changes coming to monopoly. hasbro let you pick a new token to replace one of its classic pieces. >> the vote ended overnight. this morning we have the exclusive results, starting with the piece that's being eliminated. it is the iron. i love the iron. iron is no more. >> so the new token five options, diamond ring, helicopter, guitar, cat and
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robot. the winner, please? in a drum roll? it's the cat. and we have it right here on the set. >> nice. >> could eat the terrier in about five minutes. you can actually use. tragically, their buddy got sacked by blackouts. but it's our tradition! that's roughing the card holder. but with the capital one venture card you get double miles you can actually use. [ cheering ] any flight, anytime. the scoreboard doesn't lie. what's in your wallet? hut! i have me on my fantasy team. of "got my medicare drug card" and "gotta get savings," bring in your prescriptions to walgreens. as a preferred pharmacy provider, we may help you save with lower co-pays. walgreens. at the corner of happy and healthy.
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>> this is wbal-tv 11 news in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. here is sarah caldwell. >> one accident of note on northbound 895 just prior to potee street. here is what it looks like on the northwest corner of the beltway at reisterstown road. all the way down towards edmondson. 20 minutes on the northeast outer loop. tracking delays on the j.f.x. from the beltway into town. the rest of the major roadways
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-- so far, looking at normal volume-related delays. >> we are off to a good start, with a bang-wise. we will get some -- weather- wise. we will get some sunshine parkton, 32 degrees. we should add about 10 degrees in to the low 40's. the clipper storm last night is pushing off the coast. the further that get from us, the quicker the clouds are going to break up. 20% chance of a sprinkle or snow flurry. war clouds this morning that this afternoon high temperatures between 40 and 45. things get complicated going into the weekend. should be dry tomorrow. it should possibly end as a
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period of at snow. it will be bumpy going into the beginning of the weekend. it will clear all with temperatures in the upper 30's and low 40's. >wednesday morning.
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it's the 6th day of february, 2013. and take a look at what's happened on our plaza. we welcome you to our winter wonderland, mt. rockefeller here in the heart of new york city. and in our little ski lift photo booth, i'm matt lauer, along with savannah guthrie and al roker. this is very cool, what our minu mignons have done overnight. coming up, we'll check out our newest olympic sport called
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slope style skiing. we'll meet with some of our athletes, including this familiar face, evan lypichuk. we want you to share your enthusiasm for the games by tweeting us using the #olympics2014. >> how cool is that? >> i know. >> it's a prototype. there's one over in europe competing, by bmw. how would you like to win the lottery, not once, but twice in the same weekend? we'll meet a couple that had that great fortune not long ago. we'll find out how they're feeling today. we've got a snow-making machine. >> not quite reaching us. >> no, but there it is, just proving that it is faux snow. >> we're a little upwind from that thing, although -- >> there we go. >> now we're talking. >> we'll get the real snow in a
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couple of days. we'll talk to you about that in a moment. first let's get to natalie, who who is at the news desk. post office plans to stop delivery of mail on saturdays this summer. however it will deliver other packages. it's expected to save them $2 billion a year. releasing a deadly tsunami across the south pacific, at least five people were killed when the tsunami struck a remote part of the solomon islands. the fbi has released the first pictures of rural alabama where a kidnapped boy was held in an underground bunker for six days. on monday, authorities rescued the boy after trading fire with kidnapper jimmy lee dykes, who was killed. crude pipe bombs were later found at that site. relieved neighbors held a vigil for ethan, who turns 6 years old
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today. president obama is speaking to democrats in annapolis, maryland, asking for their support to push forward gun control legislation and budget issues. a group of senators meantime is demanding nor transparency and oversight on the use of drone strikes against terrorists. boy scouts of america board is meeting today. it could vote to let local tr p troops decide for themselves. some argue that is inadequate. they say that no troops should be allowed to exclude gays. a quick roundup of what has you talking online. gangnam style has found new life as a baby wake-up call. ♪
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that's little amaya dancing to her favorite song and amusing her big sister. apparently there's one person out there that's not tired of hearing gangnam style. first train ride. take a look. >> train. >> are we going to ride the train? >> yep. look how it goes to us. oh, my goodness. >> so adorable. madeline got that ride as her 3rd birthday wish two years ago and has since moved on and lost interest in choo choos. shooting baskets before his second birthday and quickly graduated to trick shots, bouncing the ball off the wall, shooting while lying on his back. take a look, it's in. his amazing skills has won prize tickets by the fistful. not long before he will be headed to the big leagues. very cute stuff. love that baby edition.
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>> got some great shots. >> he does. >> thanks, natalie. car makers usually don't want to see their cars sliding around on the ice. bmw of north america hopes that the sled that they'veesigned for the u.s. bobsled two-man team does that in record time. 2010 olympian chuck berkeley joining us. tell me about this. what makes this so different? >> it's smaller, faster, sleeker than our current sled and there's a carbon fiber material that's used, a little lighter than our current sled. bmw has redistributed the weight in the sled to make it more balanced. >> you have a prototype, copy of this one, running right now in europe. how has it been doing? >> very well. very well. steadily improving, making modifications as they go. tweaked it slightly. it's doing very well. >> haven't won a gold in 77 years. 2014 the year? >> absolutely. >> thank you. appreciate it. let's see what we've got for your weather for the day.
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two systems, one that clipper over the plains. moisture down in the gulf. these two systems will come together, basically phase together. american model brings it a little farther off the coast and moves quicker. the snowfall amounts probably a little bit less from new york city to boston. the heaviest snow in northern new england, but the european model keeps it closer onshore, slower, more intense and that means more snow. heavy to extreme snow from new york city all the way up into portland, maine. that's what's going on around >> good morning. it should be a quiet day weather-wise. there is a slight chance for some sprinkles or flurries.
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>> that's your latest weather. savannah? >> al, thanks. coming up, we will meet arkansas' newest millionaires. they won the lottery twice in one weekend. we'll hear their story. and then the moment all her fans have been waiting for, the return of bridget jones. and our countdown to sochi, live from mt. rockefeller here on our plaza. first these messages. at once or just one?s bets [ all kids ] twooooo! [ moderator ] you sure? i am absolutely positive! [ little boy ] two times is awesome. the thing i can do is wave my head and wave my... that's amazing. i've never seen anything like that. look i can do -- hold on -- i'm watching this. i'm getting dizzy... [ male announcer ] it's not complicated. doing two things at once is better. and only at&t's network lets you talk and surf on your iphone 5. ♪ so ditch the brown bag for something better.
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that's all i need. [ female announcer ] for everything they need to hear this valentine's day, there's a hallmark card. went home and fed her family. now she's helping her community. no wonder it's hard to focus on her own needs. but she's got one a day women's, a complete multivitamin with key nutrients women may need all in one pill. because our focus is you. with simple, real ingredients, like roasted peanuts, creamy peanut butter, and a rich dark-chocolate flavor, plus 10 grams of protein, so it's energy straight from nature to you. nature valley protein bars. [ sneezes ] [ sniffles ] [ female announcer ] for everything your face has to face.
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face it with puffs facial tissues. puffs has air-fluffed pillows for 40% more cushiony thickness. face every day with puffs softness. in that time there've been some good days. and some difficult ones. but, through it all, we've persevered, supporting some of the biggest ideas in modern history. so why should our anniversary matter to you? because for 200 years, we've been helping ideas move from ambition to achievement. and the next great idea could be yours. ♪ and the next great idea could be yours. i'm here with daphne oz, a model of healthy habits. so daphene, do you eat activia. i do it's always in my fridge. and you know activia isn't just for minor digestive issues. exactly, it's also important for my overall well being because it helps regulate my digestive system. and when you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside! whether at work,
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with friends, on a special night, or just enjoying an activia. shine from the inside out with activia. ♪ dannon back now, 8:10 with an arkansas couple that must have luck on their side. they were on a weekend getaway and returned with two winning lottery tickets, the first for $1 million, purchased at a convenience store on the way to their cabin, the other for $50,000, bought at the same store on their way home. stephen and terrterri, good mor. congratulations. are you kidding me? >> no, we're not kidding. and good morning. >> it's amazing. you bought your first set of tickets on the way to the cabin. you got some pizza, went to the cabin. started scratching off these tickets. who let out the biggest scream when you saw it was worth $1 million? >> neither one of us screamed.
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we were in such shock it was hard to even function for about ten minutes. when i scratched it off, i handed it to my wife and my son and my daughter-in-law were there also, and -- >> somebody's calling, asking to borrow money, apparently. >> yeah, guess so. >> all right. so, anyway, you scratched it off and stay overnight at the cabin. the next day you went back to tell the clerk at the store where you bought the ticket that you guys had won and you bought more tickets? >> yes, sir. we went back there to tell them we had won and have the ticket verified. when we got back there and they verified it and we did all of our congratulations and all that stuff, we decided we would buy a few more because we were going to stay at the cabin for the rest of the day. so we picked up a few more and went back home. and i forgot about the tickets when we got there. my son was -- and his wife were with us. >> right. >> at that time. and they were fixing to leave and go back to tulsa.
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>> right. and then terri, when you finally got to scratch off the second group of tickets, terri, i understand when you told stephen that it was a $50,000 winner, he actu -- you actually got worried because he got so red in the face you thought he was having a heart attack. >> once again, yes. >> stephen, when you went back to the store and told them you won again, what was the reaction? >> the lady was pretty much floored. she couldn't believe it. couldn't believe we had won twice, couldn't believe we had won as much as we did. >> $1,050,000. once you go back to that store would you buy me ten tickets, please? >> i'm getting that a lot from a lot of people. >> use the money well. use it wisely. congratulations. okay? >> all right. thank you. >> we will. thank you. >> all right. and now here is savannah. >> matt, thanks. world of literature is
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filled with heroines, anna karin in a and, of course, bridget jones. get ready, world. bridget jones is back. the chain-smoking, booze swilling, granny panty wearing singleton swimming in a world of smug marrieds will make her return. >> readers, media, everybody out there is waiting to see where she is now. >> spawned from a newspaper column, bridget jones diary was first published in 1996, combined with its sequel, the book sold over 50 million copies in 40 countries. >> what on earth are you wearing? you look like a common prostitute. >> two popular movies based on the books further cemented bridget as a pop icon.
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>> she was so relatable and there was something about that character that felt so authentic. we knew that girl. she was your sister. she was your best friend. she was that co-worker that you felt like you could talk to until the wee hours of the morning about everything. >> the new book takes place in present day london and will represent a totally new phase in bridget's life, leaving bridget's fans wondering if she will resume her old affair with the kad daniel cleaver. live happily ever after with the reindeer jumper wearing darcy. >> i like you very much just as you are. >> or perhaps bridget will just end up -- ♪ all by myself >> coming up next, the oscar-nominated director of "silver linings playbook" opens up to jenna bush hager about his very personal connection to this movie, after this. at a dry cleaner, we replaced people with a machine.
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♪ kellogg's simple grains cereals take you from seed... ♪ ...to spoon. with just a few ingredients. ♪ kellogg's raisin bran, corn flakes and rice krispies. simple wholesome goodness. start simple. start right. it's one of the most acclaimed movies of the year, picking up eight oscar nominations and its director has a very personal connection to the movie's themes. correspondent jenna bush hager is here to explain that. good morning. >> good morning, matt. this is a movie about two people coming together, overcoming their past and dealing with mental illness. i sat down with director david o. russell recently to hear how the film hits close to home.
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this is a love story. >> what's this? >> i thought you were doing it. >> i thought you were doing it. >> reporter: about dark clouds giving way to silver linings. >> she is my friend with an f. >> capital f. >> for friend. >> this is a love story writer and director david o. russell had to make. >> five years i wanted to make the picture. i was given the book five years ago and i jumped on it. >> do you remember how the book came into your hands? >> sydney pollock of all these great films "the way we were." he had the book. and i said oh, wow, this would be fantastic. he said how can you get the tone right? because it's tricky. it's very disturbing material. it's uncomfortable material for people to see a family in crisis, to see someone out of control, someone struggling with moods. >> i thought you said you had it together, you were solid! >> i am solid. i was solid at the game. >> reporter: the truth is, david has lived this story.
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his own son, matthew, has suffered from mood disorders since an early age. >> nothing comes easily to him. that makes your heart bigger and you want to do anything as a parent in your life to make them believe in life. >> reporter: david found working on the script therapeutic and it brought him closer to his son. >> it was a very healing thing to have written the movie and rewritten it and rewritten it. i learned a great deal about resilience and about the relationship between the father and the son. >> come on, dad! >> reporter: the relationship between father and son is a common thread both on and off the screen. david's son is in the movie, playing the neighbor working on a project on, of all things, mental illness. >> is that an episode? >> get out of here. >> chasing him in his pajamas. it reckons moments of the soul when family relationships seem to happen in your pajamas at 2:00 in the morning.
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that's when the truth comes out. >> look, i don't think you're crazy. >> reporter: "silver linings playbook" is based on the book matthew quick, written the novel at a particularly low place in his life. >> i was struggling with depression when i was writing the book. just as dancing was used to combat depression, i was writing. i hid from my students. when talking about depression now, they would say no way, he was always upbeat, his classes were enthusiastic. i think writing not only saved me in a very literal way, but it saved my marriage. i think it's made me a better person, because i did this thing that i felt i had to do, the thing that was inside of me. >> reporter: you made a movie that has this beautiful, delicate balance, speaking about something that still is taboo, mental illness. did you want to start a conversation? >> absolutely. we talk about diabetes, heart
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disease. why this isn't discussed in a regular way. i've had so many people come forward to me and say thank you, because i have an uncle, a father, a mother, a brother who has had very similar situations to the one in your film. >> the world is hard enough as it is, guys. can't somebody say, hey, let's be positive? let's have a good ending to the story? >> and it is, a good ending not just in the film, but also for the director and his son. >> it's a very healing thing that i think will be a touchstone for the rest of our lives, to refer to the story that we know personally that is filled with hope and shines the light on it. you don't need to be ashamed of this. you can own it and you can heal. >> russell's work on "silver linings playbook," his best director nomination is his second. i'm 31. the last movie was reds. did you see it?
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>> i did. i saw this, too. it's terrific. >> it is and it's great that he could put his personal touch to the film. >> let's get some berth day wishes from mr. willard scott. willard? >> the national galleria of art, the whole operation is pretty. the ice rink is especially nice this time of the year, because there's ice on it. that's pretty clever. happy birthday from smuckers. and we have rose gamello from new york, 100 years old today. secret to longevity is good old hard work. and have an occasional scotch. oh, how sweet it is, bud kautz is 100 years old today. and he happens to be from exonia, wisconsin. loves to gamble. and we wish him a happy
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birthday. and here if you will, please, marian williams from norfolk, virginia, is 100 years old today. she is very active with all s t sorts of -- and loves the choir. henry hulter from san rafael, californ california, 105 -- good heavens. 105 years old. handyman and he goes to the gym five days a week. olga tambellini is 100 years old today, woodbine, maryland, just down the road. she loves to go to the beauty salon, loves dark chocolate and is a beautiful lady. now here is little johnny, john vall vallejo from rock island, illinois, 100 years old. a mechanic. he can fix anything. man is a genius, just like they are in new york when they hired me. >> willard, thanks.
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countdown to sochi gets under way live on the plaza. but first your local news. >> this is wbal-tv 11 news in baltimore. >> good morning. . i am. here is -- i am mindy basara. here is traffic pulse 11 and sarah caldwell. >> serious accident at berrywood drive. 19 miles per hour towards the steel bridge. lanes being cleared intermittently. 21 minutes on the north side, 30 minutes on the west side outer loop. northwest corner of the beltway at reisterstown road, that is
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where your delay begins. 895 around the ritchie highway, towards the steel bridge, you are going to be sitting in jammed conditions. that is the latest on traffic pulse 11. >> no problems weather-wise on the morning commute. 31 in westminster but we should be able to get into the 40's this afternoon. nothing showing up on the radar right now. i'm going to keep a 20% chance for a sprinkle or 8 snow flurry this morning. it will be a dry de tomorrow. coastal storm on friday. freezing rain and sleet in the morning. it should clear up over the
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weekend. dry temperatures in the upper 30's and low 40's. >> back with another update at 8:56.
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let the games begin. 8:30 now on a wednesday morning. it's the 6th of february, 2013. let me be the first to welcome you to mt. rockefeller. we have this giant ski slope in order to celebrate the one year out from the winter olympic games in sochi. get ready.
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>> got to be careful around here. otherwise, you could end up with a ski right in the middle of your back. >> my only question is did we build the ski lodge? because i'm ready for a hot toddy. >> you know, where there's snow, there are snowballs. >> and that's why we wear helmets on this show. >> good aim. >> meanwhile, we are going to give you a complete guide to the winter olympics coming up, including the athletes come iinp and the brand new events you'll be seeing for the very first time in sochi. we'll talk to a number of olympic hopefuls, including a man you know well. scott hamilton, of course. and evan lysochek. and a lesson in russian cuisine. and i'll be sitting out, willie
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will be taking my place. >> how did that happen, al? big thank you to the park city mountain resort in utah to help us build this ski slope. they have been collecting it for us for weeks and they've been here since 8:00 last night putting mt. rockefeller together. >> great job to them. >> thank you. it feels just about cold enough to make snow here in new york. mr. roker has a check of the weather. >> a big snowstorm to keep an eye on. first, for today, the moisture in the gulf, clipper in the plains. that will make its way east. the two will combine friday and make its way east. you can see tomorrow all that moisture making its way to the east, snow in the great lakes. as those systems get ready to combine look for mild weather through the
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>> good morning. we're starting out with some cloud cover. the clouds should break up this afternoon. >> with that big storm coming, check your weather as much as you can, go to weather channel on cable or weather.com online. the events to watch in 2014. but first this is "today" on nbc.
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>> announcer: countdown to "today" in sochi is brought to you by kellogg's. from great starts come great
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things. >> we're back now with our countdown to "today" in sochi. featuring some familiar faces and some brand new sports. here is a sample of what you can expec expect. >> vonn over the top. >> after a devastating fall at the world championships in austria, all eyes will be on lindsey vonn, the most successful american skier in history. and whether she'll be ready for what would be her fourth olympic games. >> coming to the finish line. >> mikaela shiffrin, trying to make her very first olympic team. on the men's side, veterans bode miller and ted ligety. both hope to be back in the hunt for more hardware. in figure skating ice dancers
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meryl davis and charlie white are team u.s.a.'s strongest hope for gold. while on the oval speed skater shani davis. seth wescot wants to make it a three-peat. shaun white will be looking for a three-peat, too, in the half-pipe, hoping to compete in a new event called snowboard slope style. slope style skiing will be another of the unprecedented events in sochi. tom wallisch is a favorite to land on that podium. and tom joins us now on mt. rockefeller with a couple of other olympic hopefuls, who will tell us more about slope-style skiing. guys, ladies, nice to see you all. welcome. >> thank you. >> this is not new in the world of extreme sports but it's going to be new to a lot of people who tune in to watch the games in sochi. give me the basics. what do i need to know, tom?
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>> we're more of an x-games, action sports kind of guys. for us it's a terrain park. you go down the run, there's jumps, rails, variety of different features and who can do the most difficult yet smooth, fluid-looking, fun-looking run. you try to kind of pick a run, do all these different tricks. >> bobby, the skis, are they the kind of skis i would use on the weekend? >> there's a tail -- or rounded on the tail so you can switch, do tricks backwards and land backwards as well. >> carrie, danger element here? we're going to look at something that looks like if you miss it by that much, it will be a bad day. >> danger is kind of the fun of it. every day you're conquering skis. it's a rush. it's so much fun. >> we've got something set up here on mt. rockefeller. what do you call that, a rail? >> we call that a down rail. >> that's a down rail?
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>> set on a down slope. >> the object is to go jump up on that and do tricks once you're on it? >> spin around, and spinoff. >> tom, why don't you go first? before you go, what are you going to do? >> i'm going to do a 270 on. >> okay, great. tom wallisch. here we go. >> did he nail it? >> yeah. >> that was nailed? okay. nice going, tom. >> thank you. >> bobby, you're going to go second, right? >> yeah. >> do you have a different trick planned for us? >> left side, spin left, jumping over the rail and do a 270 off the rail. >> before you do this, what kind of sports did you do before this? how did you end up in this? >> pretty much every action sport, skateboarding, biking, mountain biking, and i kind of love being in the air, love to jump and having that rush. >> reporter: all right, bobby, show us what you've got.all rig
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what you've got. make it is look so easy. you have a background in ice hockey? >> i do. >> where did you play? >> growing up in minnesota. >> that's serious ice hockey. >> >> oh, yeah. >> how long have you been doing this? >> eight years maybe. >> is this as much fun as you've ever had as a sport? >> oh, yeah. i don't know. i have fun with everything. >> what are you going to do for us? >> a switch up to switch. we'll see. >> all right. carrie, go ahead. >> all right. thank thanks. >> ooh, careful. carrie herman, bobbi brown, thank you very much. team rockefeller competes, but first this is "today" on nbc. avr
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i just had to write. you can't imagine how long i've been searching for something like this for my family. i'm amazed you make so many great flavors that are gluten free. my guys are crazy for chocolate chex and honey nut chex. for me, it's cinnamon. it means a lot to be able to give them something that's good for them, that also puts smiles on their faces. 'cause i really love those smiles. we're the harris family. and we love chex. [ male announcer ] love chex? connect with us on facebook. >> all right. we're back now with more of our
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countdown to the sochi olympics, one year from today. and this program will be there. we've got al on the plaza with scott ma'am hamilton who everybody knows. and we have a course they're about to embark on. >> i've been waiting all year for this. this only happens every four years. incidentally, let me tell you what's going to happen. >> okay. >> they're going to start at the top of the hill. >> yeah. >> they're going to sled down. they have to run back up the hill, then two-man sled down. they have to ring the bell. then here is where the agility comes in. the agility comes in, they have to step through these rings over the hurdle. >> they have to step through all of them? >> every single one. but this is about presentation. >> oh, really? >> figure skating. they have to throw these snowballs through the olympic wings and then we will determine who is the champion. >> who the winners are.
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>> okay. good luck. >> wait, wait, wait. what did you say right after here's what you've got to do? >> i don't even know how to get into this. >> here they go! >> wait, wait, wait, wait! >> oh, this is going to be good. >> all right. >> are you giving us a countdown? >> yeah. >> go on one. >> three, two, one! >> gone too far. you have to get rid of these. >> go, go. >> all right. >> two-man sled. very important. how they get off this sled. >> she's down!
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oh, she's up. okay. through the bucket. wow! >> great presentation. >> natalie love the spin. >> love the spin. >> that's the olympic spirit. >> that was more than just an athletic event. that was an emotional experience as well. >> can you turn around so we could see -- >> the way you went through those -- >> it's emotional, isn't it? >> it was. through the rings. here are our champions right here. >> the gold medal, lauer and morales. >> don't feel bad. >> i don't like to lose. >> there's nothing wrong with the silver. >> can we just do one where there's all of us? come on.
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>> the adrenaline. >> i just want to thank everybody who made this possible. all my coaches, trainers. >> you're breathing hard. >> no, you don't get a mulligan. >> we're working on the landing. i'm going to get out this way. we're going to have much more ahead on mt. rockefeller. first this is "today" on nbc.
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you can't talk about sochi, russia, without mentioning the food. we'll be introduced to a whole new world of taste when we're over in russia. here to give us a crash course is tatiana whose last name is -- that's what i was going to say. good morning. good to see you. >> thank you. >> is there a special cuisine we should be expecting when we get to sochi?
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>> absolutely. it's not italian, it's not french. it's distinctly russian. we have very unique flavor combinations, ingredients. it's totally different and absolutely delicious. >> is it regional? in other words, russia is a very big country. are there regional cuisines? >> it's one big main cuisine and individual regions will have their favorite distinct dishes. >> we start with a classic -- oh, wait. we have to start before we have the classic. a shot of vodka. >> absolutely, yeah. >> could use that right now. >> before the meal? >> yes. >> i can't do that. >> you have to tell us before you drink, though. you say -- [ speaking russian ] >> mmm. [ speaking russian ] >> yes! is good. >> is good.
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>> okay. so borscdt is a really hearty stew, made with beef, of course, carrots. it's served warm but we also have a cold version served in the summertime. >> this is a chunky version. i've seen it kind of blended as well. >> it depends on the region. >> serve it with sour cream? >> yes. and we have toasted baguettes as well. >> what is this, tatyana? >> this is more like a peasant food. when people didn't have access to the best ingredients, they would come up with dishes like this. it's beef, potatoes. >> almost like an irish stew. >> kind of, yeah. with a twist to it. >> what are some of the perceptions of russian food? >> i think people think it's a limited cuisine with caviar, but
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there are unique flavor combinations there. this is a deep fried yeast pastry filled with cabbage. we have potatoes, meat, braised cabbag cabbage. >> anything expensive on the street? you can go there -- >> they're all over. all over, definitely. >> this is called chuba. it literally means herring under the fire. >> it means what? >> herring. >> fish. >> savannah, you try that one. >> i would be happy to. i'm the adventurous. >> beef, carrots and potatoes. it's a great example of what you would expect in russia. >> perfect ending to a heavier meal in russia.
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>> and what's the drink? >> this is a beat version, fermented drink. >> it's alcoholic? >> no, very little alcohol, like .5% in there. >> okay. here is savannah. >> tvorog. >> beet juice? >> yes. at the very end, this is a sweet -- poppyseeds. >> tatyana, this is awful. >> this is an acquired taste. >> tropicana is coming out with their own version. >> it's got that pickled flavor to it. >> best thing for you, right? >> is it? >> paerm. >> okay. >> this is a sweet yeast roll filled with poppyseeds, nuts, cheese, comes with a variety of
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fillings. >> maybe to cleanse the palate. >> and let's bring a couple over here. >> keep you nice and warm. >> we'll move over to the fireplace here. >> you've got some. >> oh, yeah. >> not to bring up old memories -- first of all, tatyana, did they tell you we were going to be doing this outside? >> yes. >> you have your pumps on here. we're all dressed for winter. >> in russia, we love to dress up. we love to look our best everywhere we go. >> you look great. we're at the firepit here. remember vancouver? >> yeah. >> it took about four months to get the smoke smell out of every piece of clothing we owned. it is a nice touch. obviously the olympic team has not yet been, you know, chosen for. what would it mean to each of you to make that team? >> i don't know. it would just be a dream come true. as kids we never really dreamed of being in the olympics, just
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because our sport is not -- has never had an opportunity. so, yeah, dream come true. and it would be amazing. >> keri? >> i agree. it has really become a dream and just to support america and represent our country is going to be such a cool feeling. wearing that red, white and blue. >> i'll get out of the smoke draft. >> same as tom and keri said, representing our country, growing up watching the winter olympics. an opportunity to make the team, looking forward to it. >> are you looking forward to meeting all these different athletes from all over the world once you get over there? >> definitely. so many different sports that we've never seen or been close to. so really cool to see what everyone else does, you know, all year long. >> what do you think about this exotic location, sochi, russia? is it a dream to get to go to a place like that? >> from awhat i heard it's
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awesome. it's right on the black sea. they say it's sort of a tropical climate out there. it's not what you think of when you think of russia, in my opinion. i'm definitely looking forward to hopefully making a trip out there. >> i know a lot of the u.s. athletes are thinking about lindsey vonn this morning, who had that tough accident in austria yesterday. we're thinking of you, lindsey. recuperate well. we hope to see you in sochi in a year. thanks, tatyana. thanks to all the folks who made mt. rockefeller a possibility. we're back right after this. >> announcer: "today's" one year to sochi is brought to you by mcdonald's. i'm lovin' it.
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>> this is wbal-tv 11 news in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. howard county police have charged a 17-alderton with the rape of a 14-year-old classmate. police say that he invited a female student to cut class with him on monday.
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she agreed, he dragged the
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>> weather should be quiet today. mixture of clouds and sunshine into the afternoon. high-temperature 43. dry de tomorrow. a chance for rain or snow on friday. >> back with another weather update at 9:25.
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